Achoo !! Are you worried that you can be infected with swine flu?

Deadly swine flu outbreak, in humans started from Mexico in April 2009. In such a short duration flu has affected people at global level and has triggered World Health Organization (WHO) to declare public health emergency. As per Margaret Chan, Director-General at WHO that this disease by definition is poorly understood and has pandemic potential. This article provides general awareness about the swine flu.

What is Swine Flu?

Swine flu is a new influenza virus H1 N1, causing illness in people

Why this new H1N1 virus is called “swine flu”?

Laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new H1N1 Virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America

Is this H1N1 virus contagious?

Yes, It can spread from one people to another people

What are the symptoms of Swine flu?

Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, headache, runny nose, chills and fatigue.Many people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.Several illness and deaths have also occurred with swine flu infection.

Who is at the higher risk of Swine flu H1N1?

Pregnant women, young children, people with chronic medical conditions and people 65 and older

How do people become infected with swine flu?

Infection occurs from person to person through

coughing or sneezing

Touching infected hands and surfaces

What are the medications available to treat H1N1 virus infection?

There are four drugs approved in the US to treat the flu, but the virus has shown the resistance to the two oldest. Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and Relenza (Zanamivir) are recommended

Can I still eat and prepare pork?

Yes, you can eat pork and pork products which is properly handled and cooked

How can I protect myself from being infected?

As per Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way

Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated

What steps should I take if I get sick?

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You should stay home

Avoid contact with other people

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing or sneezing

Put your used tissue in the waste basket

When should I consult with health care practitioner?

If you become ill and experience any of the following symptoms, consult your Physician immediately

In children emergency warning signs

Fast breathing or trouble breathing

Bluish or gray skin color

Not drinking enough fluids

Not waking up or not interacting

Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

Sudden dizziness

Confusion

Severe or persistent vomiting

How should I handle waste disposal of persons infected with influenza virus?

Disposable items of infected person should be thrown in the trash and persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and waste

How can I prevent the spread of influenza virus at my home?

You can prevent the spread of influenza virus by keeping surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with disinfectant

How should I handle linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons infected with influenza virus?

Linens, eating utensils, and dishes of sick person do not need to be cleaned separately, but it is important that these items should not be shared without washing

Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting

Persons should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry

Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap

What is the best way to wash my hands to avoid getting infected with flu?
You should wash your hands with soap and warm water for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used